Mark Bettencourt’s telephone invoice could be exorbitant this month, but it surely’s an expense the Peabody coach will incur with a smile.
As quickly as his workforce put an finish to Marblehead’s state-best 23-winning recreation streak Friday, Bettencourt’s telephone lit up like a string of Christmas tree lights.
“My phone was blowing up with calls all night from past alumni and I know they were smiling. It just meant so much to so many people in Peabody,” Bettencourt mentioned. “Marblehead has knocked us around pretty good the last seven years, so the win (40-7) wasn’t just for this team, but those before us. This group really fought hard, practiced hard for this moment.”
While Marblehead’s profitable streak generated some well-deserved press, Peabody entered the competition on a nine-game run of its personal. The Tanners dominated their first three opponents, profitable by a 115-8 margin, however they weren’t of the caliber of Marblehead, the defending Div. 3 state champion.
The recreation began out as if the primary workforce to 50 wins. That was precisely what Bettencourt didn’t wish to have occur.
“When I saw 7-7 right away, I was thinking a shootout which I was hoping wouldn’t happen,” Bettencourt mentioned. “But we settled down and my defensive coordinator Justin Powers really had a great game plan. We knew Connor Cronin was a great player so we were going to double him and make them beat us with someone else.”
While the protection settled down and saved Marblehead off the scoreboard the remainder of the way in which, the high-powered Peabody offense went to work. It helps to have an skilled and proficient quarterback like Shea Lynch working the present. In the present 10-game profitable streak, the Tanners have scored at the very least 28 factors in every of these triumphs.
The good ones rise to the problem and Lynch was clearly as much as the duty Friday evening. As good as Lynch’s numbers had been (21-of-26 for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns), Bettencourt was extra impressed with the intangibles Lynch delivered to the desk in opposition to Marblehead.
“We had a feeling they were going to try and take away the deep threats,” Bettencourt mentioned. “We had been ready for that and we knew if we had been affected person, take the quick passes they had been giving us, we might be profitable. Shea did an amazing job in not getting itchy and attempting to power the lengthy ball down the sector. His management within the huddle was wonderful, he made certain we weren’t overwhelmed by something, mainly informed the blokes simply fear about doing their very own jobs. We have 5-6 actually good receivers and Shea used them properly.
“It was a great night for all of us, we’ve waited a long time for this.”
Sweet 16
1. Catholic Memorial (3-0) – Not that it issues to the Knights now, however they’re the proud house owners of the state’s longest present profitable streak at 20.
2. St. John’s Prep (3-1) – Much like their Catholic Conference counterparts from West Roxbury, the Eagles put the wooden to LaSalle.
3. King Philip (4-0) – Warriors had been pushed to the restrict by a vastly improved Taunton workforce earlier than prevailing.
4. Xaverian (3-1) – Hawks had little hassle with Lawrence for the second consecutive 12 months.
5. Andover (4-0) – Golden Warriors ended a 10-year winless streak in opposition to MVC energy Central Catholic.
6. Milford (4-0) – Scarlet Hawks start the primary of back-to-back league challenges when North Attleboro comes calling this week.
7. Central Catholic (2-2) – Raiders did some good issues however not sufficient to decelerate Andover.
8. Reading (4-0) – We could have to attend for the postseason to see how actually good the Rockets are.
9. Mansfield (3-1) – Sent an early and loud message to Canton final week.
10. Milton (4-0) – Emotional week for head coach Steve Dembowski whose dad handed away.
11. Duxbury (3-0) – After per week off, the Dragons get again within the swing of issues in opposition to Plymouth North.
12. Methuen (4-0) – Our crack behind the scenes historian Freddie Merchant knowledgeable us that Drew and Shane Eason are the sons of former Everett star working again P.J. Eason.
13. Everett (3-1) – Speaking of Everett, the Crimson Tide rolled to their third straight win.
14. Peabody (4-0) – First look within the Sweet 16 for the Tanners in a few years, however it’s properly deserved.
15. Franklin (3-1) – Terrific bounce-back effort after the Duxbury loss.
16. North Attleboro (2-1) – Life doesn’t get simpler for the Red Rocketeers as they journey to undefeated Milford.
Source: www.bostonherald.com